Fluid-pressure actuating device



May 29, 192s. 41,671,498' y G. s. TURNER f FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATING-DEVICE I Filed July 14, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVEN'TOR y George S, Turner.

QI/MM ATTORNEY v GECRGE S. TURNER, 0F EIDG'IW'OOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB T0 WESTINGHOUSE- ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A. CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

FLUID-PRESSURE Grummelronvrcn.

Application led July 14,

My invention relates to iluidpressure actuating mechanism,'more especially to control means for fluid pressure systems for actuating the' hydraulic rams of `punch presses, bull dozers, coil and pressure molding machines and the like.

It is among the objects of my mventlon to provide a control mechanism for Huid pressure actuated devices which shall be manually operative and which shall provide substantially absolute safety for the operator Without impairing the efficiency and speed of the control mechanism.

It is another object of this inventlon to provide a device of the above designated character which shall be of simple, compact and durable construction, which shall be relatively inexpensive and adapted to be readily applied to standard' machines Wlnch are operated by fluid pressure systems such as steam, Water, gas, air and the like.

Liquid pressure actuated machinery is -usually of the type wherein the Workmg members constitute a plurality of co-operating parts movable relatively to each other, such as the steam platens of hydraulic presses, the forms of coil molding machines l and the dies of bull-dozers and drop forging apparatus. All of these are very dangerous to the operator who is apt to work on the movable parts, such as inserting or removing materials and simultaneously operate the control mechanism.

My present invention is directed to-a control mechanism which requires that the operator employ both hands in its manipulation to actuate the n'iachinery.

My device is further provided with a liquid-actuated automatically-operating safetylink which automatically cutsl out the supply l source when the pressure therein is reduced to a calibrated minimum value.

In the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof and in which like reference characters designate like parts,

Figure 1 is a view partially in plan andpartially in section of a mechanism embodying my invention,

F ig. 2 is a side'elevational vieu7 thereof, Fig. 3 is a view partially in planand partially in cross-Section along the line IIIIII of Fig. 2, of one of the valve members illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,

"1923. Serial No. 651,594.

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, of a guide bracket emboied in the valve mechanism of Fig. 3, lan

Fig. 5 is a view of a guide bracket and serrated cam member taken along the line V--V, Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the controlv mechanism comprises a fluid pressure feed line l connected to a feed pipe 2, of a press or the like, through a plurality of .valves 3 and 4 connected by a feed line 5 and secured to a suitable base 6. The valve members 3 and 4 are of the three-Way type having three ports constituting respectively, inlet, feed and exhaust openings which in the illustrations are connected respectively to the feed line 1 of the valve 3, and the feed llne 5 of the valve 4 on their intake ports, the line`5 on the valve 3 and the feed line 2 of the valve 4 for the feed pressure ports and the elbows 7 and 8 respectively for the exhaust ports.

The valvemember 3 (Fig. 3) is provided With a stem 10 that has a notched collar 12 secured thereto by a dowel pin`13. A handle 14 is disposed around the collar 12 and is adapted to rest against a stop` pin 15 provided in the offset portion 16 of the valve stem support. The handle 14 is hollow and is provided with a plunger 18 having a chamfered end portion 19 adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped notch in the collar 12 and its other ends is connected by a tension spring 20 to a plug 21 fixed in The plunger 18 is the end of the handle. provided with a transverse'slot adapted to receive a thumb lever` 22 pivotally supported by a pin 23 on the handle' '14. y

A guide bracket 25 is secured to the valve stem 1-0 underneath the base 6. This bracket is of segmental-form and is provided With an angular notch 26 Which'is adapted to rest against a stop pin (not shown). The outer periphery 27 of the bracket 25 is provided with a groove 28 for receiving a co'rd or Wire 29 which is fastened by a pin or screw 30 at one end and to a coil spring 31, Fig. 1, at itsy other end in Such manner that the spring 31 biases the valvetowards 'the closed position. The bracket 25 is furtherprovided With a radial finger 32 which is pivotally secured to a link 33, Figs. '1 and 4.

i The link is pivotally connected atthe joint 34 to a rod 35 extending longitudinally of the base 6to the valve member 4.

' that isdisposed to engage the end of the rod 35. A handle 17 is secured to the valve stem 11 and is disposed to rest against astop pin 49 wh'el the valve is in the normal or inoperative possition. Beneath the cam member 37 and ]ournalled on the valve stem 11 is a guide bracket36 having an annular segmental slot 40 that isdisposed to cooperate with a stop pin 39 on the cam member 37 The guide bracket 36 is al'so provided with a projecting finger 41 thatis pivotally connected to. a link 43 by a pin or bolt 42. The link 43 "is pivot-ed to a Aplunger 44 that is movably mounted in a bracket underneath the base and that projects into a cylinder 46 that is disposed adiacent the valve member 3. The lunger 44 is provided with a 'coil spring 4 thatrests against the bracket 45 at one end and against an adjustable nut 48 Vatits other end in such manner that it biases the plunger 44 towards the cylinder 46. To overcome the action of the spring 47 iiuid pressure may be admitted to the cylinder 46by means of a port 50that is connected to the feed line 5 of the valve 3 bya pipe 51.

In the inoperative positionof thefdevice the parts assume the positions indicated in` Fig. 1, that is, the handles 14 and 17 are on the left-hand side to close the intake ports of the pipes 1 and 5, and to connect the pipes 5 and 2 to theexhaust ports 7 and '8, the handles resting against the stop pins 15 and 49. 'In this position of the device, the rod 35 is engaged in the notch 52 ofthe serrated cam 37, thus preventing any`move-4 ment of the valve stem 11. The plunger 44 is in the position shown in. Fig. 1 with the spring member 47 in extended position'between the bracket 45 and nut 48.

To transmit pressure .through the system to the feed line 2, thehandle l14 is moved in the direction of the'spring member 47 'thus permitting fluid `to' enter `from .the supply line 1 through thev respective ports to the pipe line 5 and throughthe feed'pipe 51 to nipulation of thereby open the the cylinder 46 causing the plunger 44 to be advanced against'the compression of the spring 47 thereby moving the guide bracket 36 away from the stop pin 39. By the mathe handle 14 of the valve 3, the rod 35 is moved longitudinally of the base 6 out of the notch 52 of the 'cam 37, thus permitting the `4handle 17 to be moved .to port leading to the feed' line 2 a corresponding amount. The amount of pressure at the feedline 2 is dependent on the-openings of the ports which vary with the movement of the handles` 14 and .in 'the position `'determnied 4by the engagement of the rod 35 withone ofthe steps of 75 the serrated surface 38 of the cam member l 37. If the pressure in the sup ly line 1 becomes reduced below a pre etermined amount the spring 47 will overcome the force exerted by the Huid upon the end of the am plunger 44 -vand will cause the bracket 36iof the valve' 4 to be turned in such manner that the slot 40 will receive the stop pin 39 on the cam 37 and turn .the cam and valve stem 11 to the inoperative position.

When the cam 37 is turned vto the inoperative position the rod 35 will be released and the spring 31 will close the valve 3. This 'feature of 'the device is provided to against the possibilityy of the valves eing Yleft in the open position when the Huid presuard sure is shut ofi' at some other point in the supply line thereby permitting the fluid actuated device to be inadventently operated when the pressure is again turned on.

A further safe-guard against inadvertent operation is the spring-supported plunger 18 which requires that the operatorsthumb be pressed against the latch 22 to eiect contact with venting any fixing ofthe handle as by a weight or string position.

It will be readily understood from the above description of my invention that a m5 control mechanism embodying the principles thereof provides a safe .and eiiicient means for controlling the operation of fluidpressure actuated machines.

Although I have described a specific em- H0 bodiment of my invention, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the details of construction withqut departing. from the prin- .ciples herein set forth. For instance, the '115 general arrangement and design of the' operating parts may be varied in accordance .with the service requirements or operatin conditions in which my device is. utilize and still remain within the spirit and` scope -129 ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

" I claim as my invention 1. A fluid pressure actuating device'com- A a plurality of vmanuallyoperated rism iiiutua 1 'dependent valves and means'asso= ciated th' rewith for automatically releasin the saine in the event of failure of the iiui pressure. v

2. A uid pressure actuating device comf 70 been opened the valve stem collar 12, thus prem0 to hold it in its operative v prising a plurality of manually-operated mutually dependent valves and means asso-v ciated therewith for automatically rendering the device inoperative in the event of fa1lure of the fluid pressure.

3. A fluid pressure actuating device comprising a plurality -of manually operated mutually dependent valves and means comprising a fluid actuated spring-supported plunger connected at one end to one of said valves for closing the va`lves` in the event of lfailure'of the vfluid pressure.' p

'4. Fluid pressure control means` comprising a pair of valves connected intermediate a 'supply line and a pressure feed line, a plurality of movable guide brackets associated with the stems of said valves, links connecting said' brackets and means for changing the stop position` of one of said brackets by the operation' of the other.

5. Fluid pressure control means comprising avpair of valves connected intermediate a supply line' anda pressure feed line, a pllirality of guide brackets associated with the stems of said valves, a serrated cam as- Isociated with the stem of one of said valves,

4links connecting said brackets andcam, tension means associated with said brackets' and links, and handles von said valve stems..

v 6. Fluid pressure control means comprising a pair of valvesconnected intermediate a. Asupply line and av pressure' feed line, a plurality of guide brackets associated with the stems of said valves, a serrated cam associated with 4the stemof one of links connecting said brackets and cam, tenexhaust ports and automatic means forrup! feed line while simultaneously Vline and a pressure eed line,

sion means associated with said brackets and links, and handles on said valve stems,

said handles being manually operative and .adapted to be manipulated simultaneously.

' 7. Fluid pressure controlmeans comprising a pair of three-way valves interconnectedV and connected respectively to a supply lineand a pressure feed line, each having an exhaust port, means for effecting communication between the supply line and the isolating the exhaust ports and automatic means for `rupturing such communication.

y' 8. Fluid pressure control means comprising a pair ofv three-way valves interconnected and connected res ectively to a supply an exhaust port, means for effecting communication between th supply line and the feed line while simultaneously isolating the .turing such. communication, said means comprising a pair of manually operative handles associated with connecting links 'controlled by another of sai said valves,

each having and movable stop members, the latter being l spring actuated and dependent upon Vthe 'pressure in the system fox-'their operation.

9. In a control mechanism for fluid pressure actuated devices the combination with a feed line, of two valves in series in the feed line, handles on the valves for operating them, resilient means for biasing the valves towards the closed position', fluid pressure actuatedmeans controlled by the rst valve for overcoming the resilient closing means for the second valve and mechanical means controlled by the position of the second valve for latching the first valve in'the'open position.

10. In a. control mechanism for fluidl pressure actuated devices, a valve member having an inlet and av feed port, a spring associated with said valve for closing it, a second valve member in'series with the feed port, a spring element for closing the second valve, .fluid pressure actuated means for counteracting the force of said spring element, said means being controlledby the first valve. f

. 11. In a control mechanism for fluid pressure actuated devices, a plurality of valve members having inlet and feed ports, associated with said `valve members for biasing them towards the closed position, fluid pressure actuated means associated with one i supply line of two valves in series for controlling the flow of fluid in the supply. line, means for interlocking said valves to restrain the second valve from being opened before the first valve and to` restrain the first valve from being closed before the second valve, resilient means towards the closed position, means for latching the valves in an open position and means respondentl to a predetermined: reduction of Athe fluid pressure in the supply line for releasing the latching means.

springs for biasing the valves In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribedmy name this 11th daytof July GEORGE S. TURNER. 

